Self-Compassion Through the Seasons of Life

It is my pleasure today to welcome my friend, Sarah Forgrave to as my guest on the blog today. Sarah has spent many years dealing with chronic illness and all the emotional and spiritual challenges that go with it. Through it all, even in the isolation, fear and despair, Sarah has sensed God’s presence and strength. It is my pleasure to share Sarah’s words of encouragement with you today.

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Certain seasons of life take more out of us than others. In the midst of struggle, it can feel impossible to sense God’s presence, let alone find any hope to make it through.

My book, Prayers for Hope and Healing, speaks directly to those going through medical challenges or chronic illness. As some of us know very well, having your body fail you erodes every foundation in your life. Things you never questioned before are suddenly full of uncertainty and fear.

Perhaps you read a Bible verse you’ve heard hundreds of times, but it barely touches the surface of your heart and mind. The scars are just too rough and deep to penetrate.

Even in the midst of your weary journey, God’s Word reveals aspects of His character to help you carry on. Whether your struggle is physical or something else entirely, I pray you’re encouraged and affirmed by these four passages of Scripture.

JOHN 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (NIV)

What this verse tells me about God:

He doesn’t leave everything a mystery. Rather, He tells me just what I need so I can be at peace.

Peace is found only in Him.

He doesn’t promise a trouble-free life in this world.

He wants me to have courage and not lose heart at what is taking place on earth.

He has overcome the world. This verse doesn’t say He will overcome the world or He is overcoming it. He already has.

PSALM 91:1-2

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. (NLT)

What these verses tell me about God:

He provides shelter for me to live in.

He is the Most High God. Not merely one of the highest next to other equals. The Most

He offers rest.

Through His might, He shadows me from the most glaring trials of life.

He is the only true source of refuge and safety.

His shelter, sovereignty, and might free me to trust in Him alone.

DEUTERONOMY 31:8

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (NIV)

What this verse tells me about God:

He personally walks in front of me to shield me from the worst blows in life.

He remains by my side through every step.

He promises to never leave me nor abandon me to walk alone.

His presence provides courage and en

EPHESIANS 2:10

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (NLT)

What this verse tells me about God:

He is a Master Artist, and I’m one of His masterpieces.

Through His Son Jesus, I’ve been made new, with a brand new lease on life.

He has equipped me to do good things.

He had me in His plans long before I was born.

Does one of these Scriptures speak to you in particular? Take a moment to write it down and place it in a location where you’ll see it regularly.

Times of struggle may threaten to beat you down, but with God’s Word as your sword and shield, you can find strength to make it through today.

I’m walking with you, my friend,

Sarah Forgrave

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Thank you so much for sharing such encouraging Scriptures and words of encouragement with us today, Sarah. What was your response to what Sarah shared? I’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below, and share on social media or via e-mail with others who might benefit.

Sarah Forgrave is an author and wellness coach who loves inspiring others toward their full potential. In addition to her book, Prayers for Hope and Healing (Harvest House, October 2017), her writing credits include contributions to The Gift of Friendship, Guideposts’ A Cup of Christmas Cheer, and the webzine Ungrind. When she’s not writing or teaching, she loves to shop at Trader Joe’s or spend time with her husband and two children in their Midwest home. Visit Sarah at www.sarahforgrave.com, or at the following sites:

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Kim Fredrickson is an author, blogger and marriage and family therapist. She is the author of “Pulmonary Fibrosis Journey: A Counselor and Fellow Patient Walks with You,” “The Power of Positive Self-Talk” and “Give Your Kids a Break: Parenting with Compassion for You and Your Children.” Kim blogs about self-compassion and faith at kimfredrickson.com, and also writes a patient column at pulmonaryfibrosisnews.com. Kim is honored to help those facing a terminal illness (as she is) and their families be kind to themselves on their final journey.

You have some inspiring and wise friends! Thank you for sharing Sarah’s wisdom and encouragement with us today. The scriptures that she shared are some of my favorites, and it is always helpful to be reminded of them. With all that is going on in our individual lives and bodies, as well as in the world today, it is easy to become anxious and discouraged and wonder where God is in all of the pain and chaos. We must claim His promises and hold fast as we press onward with faith and resolve.
You are loved, you know!

. . .Wow, that is just so, so beautiful. That is coming from a really beautiful heart, reflecting God —Wow. Thank you so much!!!

I especially liked John 16:33 “. . . I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I have Isaiah 40:8 engraved on my wedding band: “The grass withers and flowers fade, but the Word of our God endures forever!”

. . . I walk into the mystery of Jesus. I can not define that mystery no matter how I try. It is entirely too deep. . . .In my life, I have found it best to *not* pray for an easy life. I pray for the strength to endure a difficult one. My goal is GOD HIMSELF. Not joy, not peace, not even blessing but HIM❣ ♡ ღ ツ

“I have found it best to *not* pray for an easy life. I pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” – Wow, Aleea, there is great wisdom in these words. And such freedom too. Thank you for visiting and sharing your thoughts! ❤️

. . . .Sarah, I hope you can come back and do more guest blogs with Kim!

. . .I didn’t even know what compassion was or how to talk to myself properly until I read “Give Yourself a Break: Turning Your Inner Critic into a Compassionate Friend” and started using Kim’s compassion script CD. They have helped me to learn how to respond to my own emotions with a kind and gentle tone, not with the abuse I experienced as a child.

I love what you draw out of Scriptures and I love *the honesty*. . . .From your book. . . page 127: “Dear Lord, It’s hard to put into words how exhausted I am from fighting my condition. There are moments when I feel drawn toward the easy out to escape this pain forever but somehow I keep hanging on. I don’t know. . . .”

Kim has been on my daily prayer list since 2015 and now I have put you on it too. . . .Don’t ever give up. We can’t even know all the people we impact when we just stay in Christ, moving forward. —And I know, even if it is for very different reasons, why it is so, so hard: nihilism, skepticism, negativity, cynicism, pessimism. It is so easy to fall into, especially when we are deeply honest. But Christ wants us to live for others, not ourselves. —I know you know that. Just knowing that Kim was going forward and even continuing to write books and do You-Tubes has been such a help to me.

I *always* am asking God for true wisdom and then I try to discern that which is truly important and I learn to pay attention to those things. ―Also, I have a group of similarly minded people and a mentor, and a counselor, et.al. to help me grow and develop. . . . .I think to myself: Keep yourself together, Aleea. Transcend your sufferings in Christ’s power. See if you can be some kind of help to others less fortunate, even in the smallest of ways. Find people in worse situations than you and help them anyway you can. Be thankful and grateful to God and make the suffering in the world less! That’s “The Way” those early Christians kept talking about: Life is suffering. Love is the desire to see unnecessary suffering ameliorated. Dialogue is the pathway to truth, especially when we are deeply honest. Humility is recognition of my personal insufficiency but my willingness to learn. . . .so that truth can serve love, so that suffering can be ameliorated, so that we can all stumble forward to the Kingdom of God. 😊 💕